Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Thanksgiving is followed by Black Friday, a crazy shopping day in which I rarely partake because in my current job I have always worked on that day. The recently created Small Business Saturday encourages Americans to shop at local stores instead of big chain behemoths. Some shops offer patrons discounts or extras, such as cider and cookies while browsing, or free gift wrapping once done shopping. One of the DC area's best bookstores, Politics and Prose, was particularly clever, and invited local authors to spend time in the store to chat with shoppers, recommend favorite books, and also sign their own books. Bestselling author David Baldacci participated, and happened to be in the store at the same time as our country's most powerful shopper - President Obama. The President has now made it a tradition to do some holiday shopping, often accompanied by his daughters Malia and Sasha, at independent local bookstores. Last year he also shopped at P&P, while in 2012 he visited One More Page Books in Arlington, VA.

The more recently named Cyber Monday takes place when office employees return to work after their Thanksgiving weekend and presumably spend part of the day doing some online shopping at their desks. The distinction between Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blurred in the past couple of years as more online retailers offer deals over a range of days.

In an effort to remind Americans of the need to help others, non-profit organizations have banded together to create and spread the word about Giving Tuesday. This year on Giving Tuesday I will support two of my favorite local charities, A Wider Circle and Doorways for Women and Families. I will also donate to my favorite Latvian-American organization, Garezers. As you write your gift lists and do your holiday shopping this year, I suggest finding the resources and taking the time to also make a donation to some of your favorite charities. Every contribution helps, and science even says that giving is good!

4 comments:

I think it's a rather recent "invention" and quite internet based (i.e. "#GivingTuesday). But I agree it is a lovely tradition. My state even has a goal of how much $ it hopes its citizens donate today!

About Me & the Blog

Letiņš is slang for a Latvian person, and ASV means USA. After growing up in a Latvian-American family in the American Midwest, I've been happy to call the Washington, D.C. area home for more than seventeen years. I love to travel and explore, and I love most things Latvian. This blog is where I share some of my adventures and thoughts with the world.

If you would like to contact me, you can do so by emailing DainaLatvian(at)gmail.com.